Saturday, March 29, 2025

Vernon Vipers-Trail Smoke Eaters Highlights:

Here are the Vernon Vipers-Trail Smoke Eaters highlights from March 28th 2025 in front of 2,077 fans at Kal Tire Place in Vernon.

Image credit: Trail Smoke Eaters

Here are the highlights from the Trail Smoke Eaters YouTube page,

BCHL Highlights | TRA at VER (2025-MAR-28)

Game Preview: Cranbrook Bucks @ Vernon Vipers:

29-22-2-0 Cranbrook Bucks @ 15-32-6-0 Vernon Vipers 6pm

Tonight is the fourth and final regular season meeting between the Vernon Vipers & Cranbrook Bucks.

Vernon Vipers Regular Season Record/Stats vs the Cranbrook Bucks since the 2020-21 Season: (The Bucks were an expansion team for the 2020-21 season)

Games Played: 21
Wins: 10
Losses: 10

Ties: 0
Overtime Wins: 0
Overtime Losses: 0
Shootout Wins: 3
Shootout Losses: 1
Overtime Record: 0-0
Shootout Record: 2-1
Home Record: 6-4-0-1-0
Road Record: 4-6-0-0-0

Vernon Junior Hockey History:

1961-1962 Vernon Jr Canadians
1962-1967 Vernon Blades
1967-1973 Vernon Essos
1973-1978 Vernon Vikings
1979-1980 No team
1980-1995 Vernon Lakers
1995-Present Vernon Vipers

Cranbrook Junior Hockey History:

2020-Present Cranbrook Bucks

The Vernon Vipers are 3-7-0-0 in their last ten regular season games vs the Cranbrook Bucks

The Vernon Vipers are 4-6-0-0 in their last ten regular season games in Cranbrook

The Vernon Vipers are 5-4-0-1 in their last ten home regular season games vs the Cranbrook Bucks

The Vernon Vipers last regular season win at home vs the Cranbrook Bucks was a 4-0 victory on January 5th 2024 

The Cranbrook Bucks last regular season win in Vernon was a 5-1 victory on Saturday, December 7th 2024

The Vernon Vipers last regular season win in Cranbrook was a 5-2 victory on Saturday, October 19th 2024

The Cranbrook Bucks last regular season win at home vs the Vernon Vipers was a 6-1 victory on Saturday, September 21st 2024

Vernon Vipers/Cranbrook Bucks 2024-15 Regular Season Schedule:

September 21st Vernon @ Cranbrook: Bucks win 6-1
October 19th Vernon @ Cranbrook: Vipers won 5-2
December 7th Cranbrook @ Vernon: Bucks win 5-1
March 29th Cranbrook @ Vernon:

Let's take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

The 15-32-6-0 Vernon Vipers are coming off a 8-0 loss Friday to the visiting Trail Smoke Eaters. Tonight's the second game of a two game home stand and the Vipers final game of the 2024-25 regular season. Tonight's the fourth and final regular season meeting vs the Cranbrook Bucks. The Vipers are 1-2 vs the Bucks this season. Since November 29th the Snakes have won seven games in their last thirty one games. The Vipers have missed the playoffs for a seventh time in franchise history. The Vipers have lost four of their last five games and seven of their last ten games. Vernon sits 10th in the Interior Conference and 19th overall in league standings. 

Vernon Vipers 2024-25 Roster:


Vernon Vipers 2024-25 Regular Season Scoring Leader:

Talan Blanck (11-20-31)

Vernon Vipers 2024-25 Regular Season Record/Stats:

Games Played: 53
Wins: 15
Losses: 32
Overtime Wins: 4
Overtime Losses: 6
Shootout Wins: 0
Shootout Losses: 0
Overtime Record: 4-6
Shootout Record: 0-0
Home Record: 9-12-5-0
Road Record: 6-20-1-0
When the Vipers score first: 11-11
When the opponents score first: 4-27
Leading after the 1st period: 9-4
Tied after the 1st period: 3-15
Trailing after the 1st period: 3-19
Leading after the 2nd period: 9-6
Tied after the 2nd period: 3-5
Trailing after the 2nd period: 3-27
Out shooting opponents: 6-12
Out shot by opponents: 7-26
One goal games: 4-9
Goals for: 158
Goals against: 227
Record vs Interior Conference: 13-29-5-0
Record vs Coastal Conference: 2-3-1-0
Record vs Alberta Teams: 6-13-1-0
Longest winning streak: 2 Games (Twice)
Longest losing streak: 6 Games (twice)
Standings: 10th Place Interior Conference

Vernon Vipers Returning Players From 2023-24 Season:

Forward Erik Pastro 05

Vernon Vipers Departed/Traded Players From 2023-24 Season:

Forward Hank Cleaves 03
Forward Owen Kim 04
Forward Adam Csabi 05
Forward Luke Bibby 04
Forward Payton Struck 05
Forward Isaac Tremblay 04
Forward Luke Pakulak 03
Forward Julian Facchinelli 04
Forward Georgios Stavrianeas 05
Forward Shea Busch 07
Forward Carson McGinley 06
Forward Bronson Ross 06
Forward Nick Mikan 04
Forward Ewan McPherson 04
Defencemen Anthony Cliche 03
Defencemen Connor Elliott 03
Defencemen Etienne Lessard 04
Defencemen Noah Dorey 03
Defenceman Cooper Cleaves 06
Defenceman Lukas McCloskey 05
Defencemen Filip Krajcik 04
Defenceman Zhenya Miles 06
Defencemen Linden Burrett 06
Goaltender Ethan David 03
Goaltender Colin Reay 05

Vernon Vipers 2024-25 Regular Season Home Record vs vs Cranbrook Bucks:

0-1-0-0

Vernon Vipers 2024-25 Regular Season Road Record vs Cranbrook Bucks:

1-1-0-0

Vernon Vipers 2024-25 Regular Season Scoring Leaders vs Cranbrook Bucks:

Erik Pastro (1-2-3)
Koji Gibson (0-2-2)
Edvin Nilsson (0-1-1)
Charlie Kresl (1-0-1)

Let's take a look at the Cranbrook Bucks:

The 29-22-2-0 Cranbrook Bucks make their second and final regular season visit to Kal Tire Place, are coming off a 5-2 loss Friday in Penticton. Tonight's the second game of a two game road trip and final game of the 2024-25 regular season. The Bucks will open the playoffs next weekend in Trail. Cranbrook has lost four of their last five games and lost six of their last ten games. Cranbrook sits 6th in the Interior Conference and 12th overall in league standings. 

Cranbrook Bucks 2024-25 Roster:


Cranbrook Bucks 2024-25 Regular Season Scoring Leader:

Rasmus Svartstrom (43-23-66)

Cranbrook Bucks 2024-25 Regular Season Record/Stats:

Games Played: 53
Wins: 29
Losses: 22
Overtime Losses: 2
Shootout Losses: 0
Home Record: 14-13-0-0
Road Record: 15-9-2-0
Goals for: 185
Goals against: 177
Standings: 6th Place Interior Conference

Cranbrook Bucks Returning Players From 2023-24 Season:

Forward Nick Capasso 04
Forward Jacob Fletcher 04
Forward Patrick Murphy 05
Forward Kaslo Ferner 06
Forward Shane Baker 04
Forward Blake Cotton 04
Forward Sammy Hynes 06
Defenceman Nic Leggett 05
Defenceman Jordan Murray 06
Defenceman Malachi Freh 05
Defencemen Sam Belanger 04
Defencemen Bryce Sookro 04

Cranbrook Bucks Departed/Traded Players From 2023-24 Season:

Forward Jarrod Smith 04
Forward Jaxon Fuder 06
Forward Evan Brown 03
Forward Tyler Wishart 04
Forward Luke Pfoh 05
Forward Julian Frias 04
Forward Jaden Fodchuk 03
Defencemen Joseph Blackley 03
Defencemen Brady Yakesh 03
Defencemen Loke Sodergren 03
Defencemen Patrick Czarnecki 04
Goaltender Braedyn McIntosh 03
Goaltender Carter Capton 05

Cranbrook Bucks 2024-25 Regular Season Home Record vs Vernon Vipers:

1-1-0-0

Cranbrook Bucks 2024-25 Regular Season Road Record vs Vernon Vipers:

1-0-0-0

Cranbrook Bucks 2024-25 Regular Season Scoring Leaders vs Vernon Vipers:

Jacob Fletcher (0-6-6)
Malachi Freh (0-4-4)
Matthew Gilmore (0-4-4)
Rasmus Svartstrom (4-0-4)
Shane Baker (3-0-3)
Kaslo Ferner (2-1-3)
Bryce Sookro (2-1-3)
Samual Lyne (1-1-2)
Tanner Fennell (0-1-1)
Jake Skogstad (0-1-1)
Maddex Marmulak (1-0-1)
Jack O'Brien (0-1-1)
Blake Cotton (0-1-1)

Jaden Cholette (1-1 Record)
Miles Roberts (1-0 Record)

Vipers Alumni Robinson Suiting Up In Charity Hockey Game:

The Vernon firefighters will take on the Vernon RCMP in a charity hockey game this afternoon at Kal Tire Place.

Image credit: Vernon Vipers

Here is the story from castanet.net,

Vernon firefighters take on Mounties in charity hockey game - Vernon News - Castanet.net

Former Vernon Vipers forward/captain David Robinson will be playing for the Vernon firefighters.

Robinson played parts of three seasons with the Vernon Vipers. Robinson was an "AP" with the 2006-07 Vernon Vipers, also played with the 2009-10 and 2010-11 Vernon Vipers. In 80 games with the Vipers, Robinson collected (47-goals-28-assists-75-points). Robinson was also an Assistant Coach with the Vipers from 2012-2014.

David Robinson's Player Profile:

David Robinson - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Lariviere Gives Smoke Eaters 2-0 Lead:

Trail Smoke Eaters forward Dylan Lariviere gives Trail a 2-0 lead at 14:13 of the

1st period.

Here is the goal from the BCHL X page,

BCHL on X: "Dylan Lariviere finishes off the beautiful passing play! #BCHL | @BCHLSmokeEaters https://t.co/pmbjClZ8zC" / X

Dylan Lariviere's Player Profile:

Dylan Lariviere - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Friday, March 28, 2025

Game Recap - Trail Smoke Eaters 8 Vernon Vipers 0

I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following Junior hockey in Vernon my whole life. My family watched Senior men's hockey in Vernon in the 1950's and has been watching Junior hockey in Vernon since it started in 1961. I have two family members that played Junior hockey in Vernon. I have had season tickets since 1990 missing only 40 home games. Since 2001 I have missed 10 home games. I started and created this blog in November 2008 and have over 3 million viewers. For anyone who couldn't watch or attend tonight's Vipers game, here are my thoughts and views from tonight's hockey game. You may agree or disagree, but we all have our own opinion on the hockey game and see things differently. I try to be professional and give a fare game recap from both sides. Thank you for visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's game between the Vernon Vipers & Trail Smoke Eaters as the Smoke Eaters defeated the Vipers 8-0 in front of 2,077 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Vernon Vipers: Logan Cunningham
Trail Smoke Eaters: Ryan Parker

1st Period: The Smoke Eaters were the better team and carried the better of the play. Trail has a good transition game, can move the puck up ice in a hurry and plays well defensively. The Smokies generated lots of chances in and around the net. The Vipers on the other hand didn't do much of anything. Vernon was outskated, outworked and outplayed for a lot of the period. The Snakes had trouble getting pucks to the net and generating offence. Logan Cunningham was forced to make some big stops, keeping the hometown Vipers in the period. A chippy 1st period with both teams getting under each others skin from time to time. It was 3-0 Trail after 20 minutes of play. Shots were 12-4 Smoke Eaters.

2nd Period: The visiting Trail Smoke Eaters were again the better team. For a second straight period, the Smokies created/generated some opportunities, played well with and without the puck. The Vipers played a little better, were able to generate some offence and got pucks to the net as well as getting some looks/chances but unable to find the back of the net. One of the officials took a fall, landing on his knee and had to leave the game for a few minutes before returning. It was 4-0 Smoke Eaters after 40 minutes of play. Shots were 12-10 Trail.

3rd Period: It was basically all Smoke Eaters for most of the final period. I mean other then a couple of power plays, Trail carried the better of the play. The Smokies blew the game wide open scoring four times. Trail had a ton of pressure, zone time and were shooting everything towards the goal. The Smoke Eaters scored a couple of highlight reel goals in the final frame. Vernon didn't look good at all, struggled with the man advantage, had trouble getting pucks to the net, were making mistakes, turning over pucks, didn't compete. As a Vipers fan, this was a tough period to watch. Shots were 16-4 Trail as the Smoke Eaters win 8-0.

Vernon Vipers Top Performers:

Logan Cunningham (33 saves) Kept the Vipers in the 1st period but could only hold on for so long. I will admit I didn't like the way this kid played goal or thought he was very good in his first game or two but in his most recent games, he has improved and playing much better then his first few starts. Cunningham was the only kid who showed up tonight and was hung out to dry

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

- The Vipers are 0-5 vs Trail this season

- The Vipers have lost four of their last five games and lost seven of their last ten games

- Vernon has given up 258 shots in their last 6 games

- The Snakes have one game remaining in the 2024-25 regular season

- The game was basically over in the 1st period after the Snakes were down 3-0 Vernon didn't show up to play and were outskated, outworked and outplayed most of the 1st period. The Vipers were making mistakes, turning over pucks, missing passes, had trouble getting pucks to the net and trouble generating offence. This was a chippy period with both teams getting under each others skin

- Tonight's attendance was announced at 2,077

- Vernon has been inconsistent all season with very few improvements and it showed again tonight

- The Vipers next home game is Saturday vs the Cranbrook Bucks

- Everyone at tonight's game should be refunded, that's how bad the Vipers were

- Since the 2003-04 regular season the Vipers are 51-10-5-0 at home vs Trail

- Vernon went 0-4 with the man advantage

- The Vipers are 9-11-5-0 at Kal Tire Place

- The Vipers have been outscored 15-3 in the last two games

- The Vipers have actually gotten worse over the final month and going by body language and their play on the ice, have packed it in

- The Snakes played a little better in the 2nd period, didn't score but were able to get some pucks to the net, generate some chances and have some puck possession, something they didn't in the 1st period. 

- Since November 29th the Vipers have seven wins in thirty one games

- Did someone tell the Vipers they had to play a hockey game this evening? Vernon didn't show up and took it on the chin. This was a very boring and non inspired game to watch. The Vipers showed no compete, players going through the motions, most looked like they didn't want to be here. 

- No matter what the final score was, tonight's game was very hard to watch. It was like watching pond hockey 

- The Vipers struggled with the power play, didn't look good, gave up a 3rd period shorthanded goal

- The Vipers were basically caught standing around most of the 3rd period in a period where it was all Trail. The Smoke Eaters were by far the better team, outskated, outworked and outplayed Vernon, scoring four times to blow the game wide open. The Vipers struggled on the PP, struggled making a pass, were making mistakes, turning over pucks, had troubles getting shots on goal, did have a few opportunities to break the shutout on a goal mouth scramble

- Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 90-31-1-6-1 vs Trail

- The Vipers have shown no improvements all season, no matter how many players come and gone, it was always the same result

- Logan Cunningham was the lone Viper that showed up tonight and played. The Vipers goaltending has been one of the few bright spots this season

- This team is terrible! They can't make a pass and the amount of mistakes and turnovers at this time of the year is ridiculous. Who's coaching these kids? 

- The Vipers have been outshot 258-148 in their last six games

- Changes need to be made! This season has been a complete disaster. In all of my years watching Junior hockey in Vernon, this is by far the worst Vernon team I have ever seen

- Tonight's the first game of a two game home stand

- With the loss, Vernon falls to 15-32-6-0 sit 10th in the Interior Conference and 19th overall in league standings

Trail Smoke Eaters Top Performers:

Isaac Fecteau playing his former team, played well on Trail's blueline but saw very limited ice time in the 3rd period with the game out of reach

Ridge Dawson The Smokies captain, played a hard fought inspired game. Dawson took a hit in the 2nd period I think? obviously didn't like the play/hit, bounced up off the ice, going after Vipers defenceman Eric Johnston. Dawson plays with his heart on his sleeve and competed hard in the victory

Dylan Lariviere (1 goal) I thought played well/looked good for the Smoke Eaters

Jason Stefanek (2 goals & 1 assist) Seems to always play well vs the Vipers and did again this evening. I like this kid. A very smooth skating forward with soft hands, has a wicked shot and very hard to defend/contain

Stefano Pietrantonio Was another forward who looked good/played well

Carter Matthews A big body on the backend, played well

Josh Evaschesen (2 goals) Had a strong game. I liked this kids game tonight, played hard, battled/competed, was going to the net, made some plays, scoring twice

Ryan Parker (20 saves-shutout) Wasn't tested much but was forced to make a couple of big saves in the 2nd period and on a goal mouth scramble in the 3rd

Game Thought's: Trail Smoke Eaters

- The Smoke Eaters are 14-9-2-1 on the road this season

- Tonight's the first game of a two game road trip

- I spotted several Smoke Eaters fans at tonight's game

- Trail with a good opening period, were the better team. The Smokies carried the better of the play, had more zone time, were getting pucks to the net, generated some chances, have a good transition game, can move the puck up ice in a hurry, played well defensively. The Smokies could have had more then three goals but Vipers starting netminder Logan Cunningham kept Vernon in the contest. A chippy 1st period with both teams getting under each others skin

- Trail went 1-3 with the power play

- With tonight being a mean nothing game, Trail was sitting out several veteran players

- The Smoke Eaters have lost three of their last five games are 5-5 in their last ten games

- Defenceman Isaac Fecteau played with the 2023-24 Vernon Vipers was traded to Trail February 10th 2024

- The Smokies next game is Saturday in West Kelowna

- Trail has a very lively bench as you could hear the boys through out the hockey game

- The Smokies were the better team in the 2nd period, had more of the possession, zone time, were picking up on Vernon's mistakes/poor passes, only scored once but played well defensively

- Trail will open the playoffs at home next weekend vs the Cranbrook Bucks

- The Smoke Eaters have some speed, have a good transition game, can move the puck up ice in a hurry

- Smoke Eaters Scout Dallas Calvin played with the 2013-14 Vernon Vipers

- Trail had nothing to play for tonight, other then team pride as the team has clinched a playoff spot and will face the Cranbrook Bucks in the opening round of the playoffs but give the team credit, they still come to play, played hard, competed, looked to be a little cautious in and around the net/scrums, not wanting to get injured

- Tonight was Trail's fifteenth win in Vernon since the 2003-04 regular season

- The Smokies have one game remaining in the 2024-25 regular season

- With the game basically over, Trail scored four times in the 3rd in a period they dominated. The Smokies capitalized on the Snakes mistakes/turnovers and on their opportunities. Trail carried the better of the play, blocked a ton of shots, played well defensively, were generating offence, getting pucks to the net, outworked, outskated and outplayed Vernon for most of the period

- The Smoke Eaters only scored once on the man advantage but I like their PP and how they move the puck

- Trail outscored Vernon 30-12 in five games this season

- With the win, Trail improves to 35-14-3-1 sit 3rd in the Interior Conference and 4th overall in league standings

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Jett Quaschnick
Dennis Lominac 
Daniil Dolzhenko
Charlie Kresl
Jari Kykkanen

Trail Smoke Eaters:

Jack Kennedy
Drew Anastasio
Brayden Sinclair
Grphon Bucci
Judah Makaway
Deacon Drummond
Evan Sundar
Teagan Kendrick

Energy Player of the Game:

Michael Munroe

Three Star's:

1st Star: Jason Stefanek (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Josh Evaschesen (2 goals)
3rd Star: Brayden Rotach (2 assists)

Boxscore-Game Summary,


Game Report,


Text Box Score,


Vernon Junior Hockey History website,


Please feel free to leave comments or suggestions in the comment box below. Please be respectful when leaving comments.

Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vernon Vipers-Trail Smoke Eaters game.